Expandable collar clasp

ABSTRACT

A collar clasp which straddles the space between the collar tabs of a gentleman&#39;&#39;s shirt, the clasp retaining the tabs in a neat and attractive appearance, the clasp comprising an expandable, spring loaded, link chain with a clip at each opposite end thereof for grasping the collar tabs.

nited States atent Barber [451 June 27, 1972 [54] EXPANDABLE COLLAR CLASP 1,991,797 2/1935 Drinkwater ..24/81 D [72] inventor: Wayland F. Barber PO. Box 34, Black 2,164,831 7/1939 Moore ..24/81 D UX Creek NY 14714 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] (M1970 424,957 3/1911 France 1 ..s9/79 [21] Appl. No.: 82,271 24,300 1906 Great Britain ..24/81 D [52] U S Cl 24/81 D 59/79 Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin [51] lnt.Cl ..A44b 21/00, F16g 13/22 158 Field of Search ..24/49 KC, 31 A, 81 R, 81 D, [571 ABSTRACT 24/252 252 252 TC; 63/5; 59/79 A collar clasp which straddles the space between the collar tabs of a gentleman's shirt, the clasp retaining the tabs in a [56] References Cited neat and attractive appearance, the clasp comprising an ex- UNITED STATES PATENTS pandable, spring loaded, link chain with a clip at each opposite end thereof for grasping the collar tabs. 597,805 l/1898 Lownes ..24l252 BC X 919,486 4/1909 Speidel ..59/79 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJum m2 3.672.005

Mam/7N0 E B /e55? vEXlh rNDAllLli. COLLAR CLASP This invention relates generally to men's jewelry. More specifically it relates to garment accessories such as collar clasps.

it is generally well known that old type collar clasps tend to pull on the collar tabs and wrinkle the collar. In some cases it gives the appearance of choking a person, or unattractively bulging the collar. The situation is of course objectionable and therefor in want of an improvement.

Accordingly it is aprincipal object of the present invention to provide a collar clasp having self contained means to prevent distortion of the collar.

Another object is to provide a collar clasp which is expendable so that it does not stress a collar out of shape by excessive tugging thereupon, thus allowing the collar to rest in 21 normally relaxed position wherein it best appears.

Another object is to provide an expandable collar clasp which accordingly can be made in different sizes so to suit collar sizes and collar styles.

Yet another object is to provide an expandable collar clasp which is suitable for all type of attire whether dressy or informal.

Other objects are to provide an expandable collar clasp which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention shown contracted.

FIG. 3 is a side view thereof shown expanded.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2, and showing the contracting structure.

Refering now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents an expandable collar clasp according to the present invention wherein there is an expandable link chain 11 comprised of individual links 12 in end to end relation, and wherein there is a clip 13 at each opposite end of the link chain 1 1.

The links upon their front side 14 may be attractively designed, ornamented or decorated by being polished or engraved so that the collar clasp can be in the classification of novelty or costume jewelry. Accordingly preferably it is made of metal in the appearance of gold or silver.

The links are normally urged into a contracted psoition by means of some form of springs, and as suggested in FIG. 4 may comprise compression springs 15. The links are interconnected by means of connecting bars 16 each of which at its opposite end fits into the interior central chamber 17 formed in each link 12. Each link at its opposite end has a spring 15 fitted thereupon, the spring being positioned within the chamber 17 and at one end bearing against an end wall 18 of the link and at its opposite end bearing against an enlarged head 19 formed on the end of the bar 16.

The collar clasp in operative use is attached to collar tabs 20 of a short collar 21; the collar clasp being fitted behind the neck tie 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The collar clasp thus retains the tabs in a neat position and does not stress tugging on them, by simply expanding slightly in case of extra spreading force between the collar tabs.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. An expandable collar clasp comprising a series of similar tubular links mounted axially slidally in successive relationship about a series of similar interconnecting bars, in combination with similar terminal links mounted axially slidable about the outer ends of terminal bars at opposite ends of the clasp, each of said terminal links including similar clips extending transversely relative to the outer ends of terminal clips and including spring biased means for grasping a collar tab, including springs mounted within the first said links biasing the bars within the first said links inwardly thereof, further including terminal springs mounted axially within the terminal links about the terminal bars biasing the terminal bars towards the outer ends of the terminal links.

2. A clasp as in claim 1 wherein of the first said bars extends symmetically into adjacent first said links and includes enlarged heads in abuttment with said springs, and wherein each of the first said links includes opposite transverse end walls enclosing and abutting said springs, including transverse end walls at the inner ends of said terminal links enclosing and abutting the terminal springs. 

1. An expandable collar clasp comprising a series of similar tubular links mounted axially slidally in successive relationship about a series of similar interconnecting bars, in combination with similar terminal links mounted axially slidable about the outer ends of terminal bars at opposite ends of the clasp, each of said terminal links including similar clips extending transversely relative to the outer ends of terminal clips and including spring biased means for grasping a collar tab, including springs mounted within the first said links biasing the bars within the first said links inwardly thereof, further including terminal springs mounted axially within the terminal links about the terminal bars biasing the terminal bars towards the outer ends of the terminal links.
 2. A clasp as in claim 1 wherein of the first said bars extends symmetically into adjacent first said links and includes enlarged heads in abuttment with said springs, and wherein each of the first said links includes opposite transverse end walls enclosing and abutting said springs, including transverse end walls at the inner ends of said terminal links enclosing and abutting the terminal springs. 